Course Description

In this camp players will learn how to play and design TTRPG’s (Table Top Roleplaying Games). They will create characters, work in groups to create settings for adventures, then take turns being the game master leading parties through harrowing adventures. We’ll start off in the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition and use that as our foundation for understanding role playing games before we go adventuring in other worlds and systems. 

Our days will alternate between playing TTRPG’s and doing design activities to deepen our world building and create our own adventures for the camp. By the end of the camp every child will have the chance to run a game in the game system of their choosing. We’ll have guest speakers, take field trips, explore fantasy and sci-fi literature, creative writing, mathematical modeling & probability, game design, ethics, world mythologies, civics and history, all to make the ultimate role playing experiences!

After 2 weeks of playing TTRPG’s we’ll try our hand at inventing our own! No experience, dice, books, etc. required. Just bring your imagination and a thirst for adventure!

Essential Questions

  • How can friends create a fantastic story together?
  • How can roleplaying game communities be welcoming, kind and healthy?
  • How do we turn a whole world of fantasy into something we can play?
  • How can my heroes and my culture be represented in my game?
  • What skills can we grow to maximize everyone’s fun?
  • What resources (literary, mathematical, scientific, philosophical, sociological, historical, etc.) can we discover to make our games more fun and interesting? (Also, what influence have roleplaying games had on popular culture?)
  • What makes a good role playing game? 
  • How do role playing game designers do their work? What might I do in my own game?

Other Information

  • This course includes field trips on UW Campus and we will walk. 

Who Should Apply

  • Students currently in 5th or 6th grade.
  • This course requires prior knowledge in 4th grade reading, adding and subtracting single and double digit numbers. 

Week Overview

Date Theme/Topic 
Week 1                             What’s a TTRPG? Play and Learn D&D 5th ed. Create an inclusive gaming community and begin building our shared world. Inspiration Scavenger Hunt around Campus
Week 2 Explore other TTRPG’s including different genres and mechanics
Week 3 Design your own TTRPG, Deeper dive into running games as a GM/DM. FAMILY PLAY DAY ON FRIDAY!!!!! 

Instructors

Details

Cost

  • $1450
    • $1400 (tuition)
    • $50 (registration fee)

Time

9am - 2:30pm

Location

  • University of Washington Seattle Campus
  • Building and Room TBD

Date

  • July 6th-24th, 2026
  • Monday - Friday

Refund and Transfer Deadlines

  • Full tuition refund: April 10th
  • 50% tuition refund: April 11th-May 8th
  • No refund: after May 8th